Protective Mechanism for an Electronic Device

ABSTRACT

An electronic device including a processor, a sensor in communication with the processor and a protective mechanism. The protective mechanism is in communication with the processor and is configured to selectively alter a center of mass of the electronic device. Additionally, the electronic device also includes an enclosure configured to at least partially enclose the processor and the sensor.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to electronic devices and more specifically, to mobile electronic devices.

BACKGROUND

Mobile electronic devices are being used more often and more people are carrying mobile electronic devices with them on a continuous basis. However, people may drop their mobile electronic devices, or the mobile electronic devices may otherwise may be caused to enter a freefall state. For example, if the mobile electronic device may get pushed off of a counter or table. As mobile electronic devices impact a surface after freefall they may be substantially damaged, even if they are encased within a cover or other protective device.

SUMMARY

Examples of the disclosure may take the form of an electronic device. The electronic device may include a processor, a sensor in communication with the processor, and a protective mechanism in communication with the processor. The protective mechanism is configured to selectively alter a center of mass of the electronic device.

Other examples of the disclosure may take the form of a method for protecting a vulnerable area of an electronic device during a freefall. The method may include detecting a freefall of the device by a sensor. Then, determining via at least one sensor an orientation of the device. After the orientation of the device has been determined, estimating an impact area of the device. Then, selectively changing the orientation of the device via a protective mechanism, depending on the estimated impact area of the device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is an isometric view of an mobile electronic device.

FIG. 1B is a rear elevation view of the mobile electronic device.

FIG. 2 is an isometric view of another embodiment of the mobile electronic device of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an exemplary block diagram of the mobile electronic device of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4A is one embodiment of a flow chart of a method for altering an orientation of a device during freefall.

FIG. 4B is a second embodiment of a flow chart for a method for altering an orientation of a device during freefall.

FIG. 5A is an isometric view of a first embodiment of a protective mechanism for the mobile electronic device of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5B is a rear plan view of the mobile electronic device of FIG. 1 illustrating a long axis and a position of the protective mechanism of FIG. 5A relative to the long axis.

FIG. 5C is a side elevation view of the mobile electronic device of FIG. 1 during a freefall prior to impacting a surface.

FIG. 5D is a side elevation view of the mobile electronic device of FIG. 1 after a freefall and at the moment of impacting the surface.

FIG. 6 is an isometric view of a second embodiment of the protective mechanism for the mobile electronic device of FIG. 1.

FIG. 7A is a side elevation view of the mobile electronic device of FIG. 1.

FIG. 7B is a side elevation view of the mobile electronic device illustrating a third embodiment of the protective mechanism.

FIG. 8A is a front elevation view of the mobile electronic device of FIG. 1 illustrating a fourth embodiment of the protective mechanism.

FIG. 8B is a side elevation view of the mobile electronic device of FIG. 1 illustrating the protective mechanism of FIG. 8A in an activated position.

FIG. 8C is an enlarged view of the fourth embodiment of the protective mechanism of FIG. 8A in the activated position.

FIG. 9 is an isometric view of a port utilizing a fifth embodiment of a protective mechanism for the mobile electronic device.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the fifth embodiment of the protective mechanism of FIG. 9, viewed along line 10-10 in FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the fifth embodiment of the protective mechanism of FIG. 9 with a plug received therein, viewed along line 11-11 in FIG. 10.

FIG. 12A is a partial cross-sectional view of sixth embodiment of a protective mechanism viewed along line 12A-12A in FIG. 1.

FIG. 12B is a partial cross-sectional view of the sixth embodiment of the protective mechanism in an activated position.

FIG. 13 is a flow chart illustrating an exemplary method for collecting fall and impact data for the electronic device.

SPECIFICATION Overview

In some embodiments herein, a device protection mechanism is disclosed. The protective mechanism may be activated help protect select components or portions of the electronic device from being damaged due to a fall or drop. When an electronic device impacts a surface, (for example, from a fall) certain portions of electronic devices may be more vulnerable than other portions or components. The protective mechanism may be activated when the device is falling or in a free-fall mode, and may help to protect the device, or certain portions or components of the device.

In one example, the protective mechanism is configured to alter the device orientation as the device is falling. This may allow a less vulnerable portion of the device to impact the surface at the end of a freefall. For example, the protective mechanism may be activated to rotate the device so that it may impact a surface on its edge, rather than on a screen portion. Similarly, the protective mechanism may alter the device orientation by altering the angular momentum of the device. As the angular momentum of the device is altered, the orientation of the device (as it is falling) may be altered. For example, the device may be rotating around a particular rotational axis when it first enters freefall and the protective mechanism may cause the device to rotate around a different rotational axis.

The protective mechanism may alter the angular momentum via a rotating or linearly sliding a mass. The mass may rotate or change its position within the mobile device, which alters a center of mass and rotation axis for the device. For example, if the device is rotating in a horizontal manner, if the mass is rotated in an opposite direction or moved linearly to another side of the device, the device may change rotation patterns and rotate vertically (with respect to its in use orientation). In other example, a mass (e.g., a battery) may be ejected from the device in order to alter the angular momentum. This may be similar to the rotating or moving mass, because as the mass is ejected, the center of mass and rotation characteristics of the device may be altered. Altering the center of mass and/or rotation pattern of the device may help increase the chance that the device may impact a surface in a desired orientation (or at least minimize the change that the device may impact its most vulnerable area).

In another example, the protective mechanism may vary the angular momentum and/or orientation of the device during freefall by activating a thrust mechanism. The thrust mechanism may produce a thrust force in one or multiple directions in order to reorient the device. For example, the thrust mechanism may include a gas canister that may deploy the compressed gas outside of the device to change its orientation.

In yet another example, the protective mechanism may activate an air foil to change the aerodynamics of the mobile electronic device. The air foil may help to reduce a velocity of the free-fall of the device by producing a lift force. In this example, the air foil may help to reduce the force of impact as the device hits the surface, as the momentum of the device may be reduced (as the velocity of the fall may be reduced).

The protective mechanism may also act to protect the device by altering components in order to attempt to prevent impact with a surface. For example, the protective device may contract buttons, switches, or the like that may be exposed on an outer surface of the enclosure, so that the buttons or switches may be protected within the enclosure at impact. This may help to prevent the buttons or switches from being damaged, while the enclosure (which may be designed to withstand particular forces), may receive most of the force from impact.

In another example, the protective device may include a gripping member configured to grip onto a power cord, headphone cord, or the like that may be partially received within the device. For example, headphones may be inserted within an audio port and the headphones may be operably connected to a user's head. As the device experiences a freefall (e.g., is dropped by the user), the grip members may expand within the audio port to grip or otherwise retain the headphones (or other plug). This may help to prevent the device from impacting a surface, or may at the least slow down or reduce the velocity at impact, which may give a user a chance to grasp the device.

The electronic device may also store information correlating to various impacts and freefalls of the device. This information may include the drop heights, drop frequency, device orientation prior to the drop, and/or drop velocity. This type of fall or drop information may be stored in order to improve or better protect the device from impacts due to freefalls. For example, the information may be used by the phone to better estimate a predicted freefall orientation and activate a particular protective mechanism or device. In another example, the information may be provided to a device manufacturer so that the device may be constructed to better withstand the most common freefall impacts, such as but not limited to, creating a thicker enclosure on a particular area of the device, relocating particular components within the device, or changing an overall shape of the device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1A is an isometric view of a first example of a mobile electronic device and FIG. 2 is an isometric view of another example of the mobile electronic device. The mobile electronic device 100 may include a protective mechanism to help reduce damage to the device 100 (or select components of the device 100) upon impact from a free-fall. The mobile electronic device 100 may be substantially any type of electronic device, such as a digital music player (e.g., MP3 player), a digital camera, a smart phone (e.g., iPhone by Apple, Inc.), a laptop or tablet computer, and so on. For example, FIG. 2 is an perspective view of a second embodiment of the mobile computing device 100, illustrating the mobile computing device 100 as a laptop. The mobile electronic device 100 may include a display screen 102, an enclosure 104, and an input member 106.

The display screen 102 provides an output for the mobile computing device 100. The display screen 102 may be a liquid crystal display screen, plasma screen, and so on. Additionally, in some embodiments the display screen 102 may function as both an input and an output device. For example, the display screen 102 may include a capacitive input sensors so that a user may provide input signals to the mobile computing device 100 via his or her finger.

The enclosure 104 defines a cavity that may at least partially enclose the various components of the mobile computing device 100. The enclosure 104 may include apertures defined within the enclosure 104. The apertures may allow select components to extend past or communicate outside of the enclosure 104. For example, a button 110 or switch may be inserted through an aperture in the enclosure 104 so that a user may activate the button, or a charging plug or audio plug may be inserted or positioned through an aperture of the enclosure to communicate with internal components.

The receiving port 108 is configured to receive a plug such as an analog audio plug, charging cord, output device, a tip ring sleeve connector, and the like. The receiving port 108 is formed in the enclosure 104 to electrically connect an external device (e.g., headphones, speakers) to one or more internal components of the mobile computing device 100. The receiving port 108 may be configured to provide a pathway between the outside surface of the mobile computing device 100 and the internal components surrounded or encased bye the enclosure 104.

The input member 106 permits a user to provide input to the mobile computing device 100. The input member 106 may be one or more buttons, switches, or the like that may be pressed, flipped, or otherwise activated order to provide an input to the mobile computing device 106. For example, the input member 106 may be a button to alter the volume, return to a home screen, or the like. Additionally, the input member 106 may be virtually any size, shape, and may be located in any area of the mobile computing device 100. Furthermore, the input member 106 may be combined with the display screen 102 as a capacitive touch screen.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an embodiment of the mobile computing device 100 illustrating select electrical components. The mobile computing device 100 may include a protective mechanism 112, a power source 114, sensors 116, a processor 124, memory 120, a network/communication interface 122, and an input/output interface 126 all connected together by a system bus 128. The mobile computing device 100 may include additional components that are not shown; and FIG. 2 is meant to be exemplary only.

The protective mechanism 112 includes protective means, described in more detail below, but generally the protective means may help to minimize or prevent damage to the mobile computing device 100 that may occur as a result of a freefall. For example, the protective mechanism 112 may vary the angular momentum of the mobile device 100 as it is falling so that the device 100 may impact on a certain surface or particular portion of the device 100. Or in other examples, the protective mechanism 112 may grip a plug (such as headphone jack) in order to prevent or mitigate the freefall. In still other examples, the protective mechanism 112 may retract certain components from an exterior of the device 100 prior to impact, in order to help prevent damage to those components.

The sensors 116 may be in communication with the processor 124 and may help to determine whether the mobile device 100 is in a freefall position, how fast the mobile device 100 may be falling, and how far away (or how much time) until impact. Essentially, the sensors 116 may be varied depending on the protective mechanism 112 and may similarly be positioned substantially anywhere on or within the device 100. Similarly, there may be a single sensor 116, or multiple sensors 116. The sensors 116 may be an accelerometer, gyroscopic sensor, distance or position sensors (e.g., radar, ultrasonic, and the like), location sensors (e.g., global position system, compass), image sensors (e.g., camera), sound or audio sensors (e.g., speakers, microphones) which may be used as a sonar combination, and so on. The sensors 116 may be able to determine certain characteristics of the freefall and impact as well.

The power source 114 provides power to the mobile electronic device 100. The power source 114 may be a battery, power cord, solar panel, and so on. The power source 114 may provide power to various components of the mobile computing device 100. Additionally, the power source 114 may be removable or permanently attached to the mobile electronic device 100. For example, the power source 114 may be a battery that may be removed from the device or the power source 114 may be a power cord that may be substantially secured to the mobile device 100.

The network/communication interface 122 may receive and transmit various electrical signals. For example, the network/communication interface 122 may be used to place phone calls from the mobile computing device 100, may be used to receive data from a network, or may be used to send and transmit electronic signals via a wireless or wired connection (e.g., Internet, WiFi, Bluetooth, or Ethernet).

The memory 120 may store electronic data that may be utilized by mobile computing device 100. For example, the memory 120 may store electrical data e.g., audio files, video files, document files, and so on, corresponding to various applications. The memory 120 may be, for example, non-volatile storage, a magnetic storage medium, optical storage medium, magneto-optical storage medium, read only memory, random access memory, erasable programmable memory, or flash memory.

In some implementations, the memory 120 may store information corresponding to a freefall and/or impact of the electronic device 102. The sensors 116 (in combination with the processor 124) may provide information such as fall height, velocity, fall or drop orientation, impact orientation, applications running at the beginning of the fall, and so on. The memory 120 may be configured to store the information and/or transmit the information (via the network/communication interface 122) to a second electronic device.

The processor 124 may control operation of the mobile computing device 100 and its various components. The processor 124 may be in communication with the sensors 116 and the protective mechanism 112. For example, the processor 124 (based on inputs from the sensors 116) may activate or modify the protective mechanism 112 as necessary or desired. The processor 124 may be any electronic device cable of processing, receiving, and/or transmitting instructions. For example, the processor 124 may be a microprocessor or a microcomputer.

The processor 124 may also determine certain characteristics or features of a particular freefall and impact. For example, the processor 124 may determine a height of the freefall after impact by using the time of freefall and the velocity of the fall. The information regarding the characteristics of the freefall and impact may be stored even if a particular protective mechanism or device may not be able to be activated. In this manner, the processor 124 may be able to more easily predict characteristics of another freefall and impact.

The input/output interface 118 facilitates communication by the mobile computing device 100 to and from a variety of devices/sources. For example, the input/output interface 118 may receive data from user, control buttons on the mobile computing device 100, and so on. Additionally, the input/output interface 118 may also receive/transmit data to and from an external drive, e.g., a universal serial bus (USB), or other video/audio/data inputs.

Exemplarily Methods for Reducing Damage to a Device During Free-Fall

FIG. 4A is a block diagram of a first embodiment for a method of helping to prevent or reduce damage to a device during free-fall. The method 200 beings with operation 202 and the current orientation of the mobile computing device 100 is determined. Operation 202 may be completed via the sensors 116, for example, a gyroscopic sensor may be used to determine the current orientation of the mobile computing device 100. The sensors 116 may determine whether the mobile computing device 100 positioned upright, sideways, angled, upside down, and so on. Once the orientation is determined, the method 200 proceeds to operation 204. The orientation may be determined at predetermined intervals, e.g., every ½ second or the like, random intervals, or so on. The time intervals may be based on power conservation or user preferences.

In operation 204, the mobile computing device 100 determines if a fall is detected. For example, a fall may be detected if the mobile computing device 100 has been dropped by a user, pushed off of a surface, and so on. Operation 204 may be completed via the sensors 116. In one example, an accelerometer may detect when the device 100 is entering a freefall. This is because when the device 100 is resting on a surface (or otherwise supported), the gravity force exerted on the reference frame of the accelerometer may be approximately 1 G upwards. Then, as the device 100 enters freefall, the gravity force may be reduced to approximately zero, as gravity acts on the device to pull the device 100 downward. Other types of sensors 116 may also be used other than an accelerometer, therefore the actual values may vary for determining whether the device 100 is in freefall. If a freefall is not detected, the method 400 may proceed back to operation 202. However, if a freefall is detected the method may proceed to operation 206.

In operation 206 it is determined whether the impact surface is detected. For example the sensors 116 may include a position sensor to determine the distance to the impact surface and/or the time that it may take the device 100 to reach the impact surface. The sensors 116 may utilize images, sonar, radar, and so on in order to determine the distance to the ground. If the impact surface is not detected, which may be because the impact surface is too far away to be determined by the sensor 116, then the method 200 may proceed to operation 208. In operation 208 the device 100 may pause for a select time. The pause time may be varied and may be dynamically adjusted or may be a set predetermined time. The method 200 may pause at operation 206 to allow time for the device 100 to descend further so that the impact surface may be detectable. Therefore, after operation 208, the method 200 may proceed again to operation 206, and the device 100 may determine if the impact surface is detected once again. If the impact surface is detected the method 200 proceeds to operation 210.

Operation 210 determines the orientation angle of the device 100 and may utilize the sensors 116 to determine the orientation of the angle. As the device 100 may be in the middle of a freefall state and therefore the orientation may be rapidly changing (e.g., if the device 100 is rotating while falling), therefore the orientation may include a rotational axis of the device, rather than simply a current orientation of the device. Additionally, it should be noted that in operation 210, the orientation angle 210 may include not only the position of the device 100 relative to a “normal” position, but also its height in space. For example, the orientation angle may be a three-dimensional vector, e.g., along a x, y, and z axis, see e.g., FIG. 5C.

Once the orientation angle of the device 210 is determined, the method 200 may proceed to operation 212 and the distance to the impact surface may be detected or calculated. If the impact surface is detected, the device 100 may estimate the time to impact with the impact surface based on the freefall velocity and the distance to the surface. The device 100 may utilize an accelerometer sensor as well as a position sensor in order to estimate or calculate the distance to impact surface.

Once the distance to the impact surface has been calculated or estimated in operation 212, the method may proceed to operation 214 and the impact area of the device may be estimated. Operation 212 may take into account the orientation angle (including the rotation axis) of the device 100, and/or angular momentum of the device, as well as the distance or time to the impact surface. For example, operation 212 may utilize the distance/time to the impact surface, the current orientation of the device 100 in three dimensions, as well as the current angular momentum of the device 100. In other words, if the device 100 is a certain distance from the impact surface, rotating along a particular rotational axis with a particular angular momentum, then the estimated impact area may be determined to be the front top portion of the device 100.

Once the impact area of the device 100 has been estimated, the method 200 may proceed to operation 218. Operation 218 determines whether the orientation angle may need to change. The orientation angle may need to be changed or varied so that the device 100 may be orientated (while during freefall) to potentially reduce the risk that the device 100 may hit the impact surface in a particular orientation. For example, if the device 100 were to impact the surface on the front side the displace screen 102 may be significantly damaged as the display screen 102 may be glass or other relatively fragile material. On the contrary, if the device 100 were to land on its side or back, the enclosure 104 may provide substantial protection for the device 100 and may not be substantially damaged. Thus, based on the estimated impact area of the device, the device 100 may determine that the orientation angle may need to be changed so that the device may land on its side or back, for example.

In one example, the device 100 may be divided mathematically into different areas or zones that may be ranked in a particular order based on the zone's vulnerability to damage due to an impact. For example, the display screen 102 may have a high vulnerability, whereas the side or back of the enclosure 104 may have a lower vulnerability. Operation 218 may determine the zone or area which may be configured to impact the surface and then change the angular momentum of the device 100 so that another zone may be configured to hit the surface. Additionally, the vulnerability of the zones may be ranked by the user. For example, if the user has included a particular case to enclose a portion of the device 100, he or she may alter the zones so that the areas covered by the case may be ranked to have the lowest vulnerability, that is, they may be able to withstand the most amount of force.

If, in operation 218, the orientation angle needs to change, the method 200 may proceed to operation 216. Operation 216 changes the angular momentum of the device 100. For example, one or more protective mechanisms 112 may be activated. The protective mechanism 112 may then alter the angular momentum of the device 112. For example, the protective mechanism (as discussed in more detail below), may vary the center of mass of the device 100 so that the rotational axis may be varied. As the center of mass is varied, the rotational axis of the device may be varied. The rotational axis of the device 100 may determine the surface and impact orientation of the device 100 when it intersects with the impact surface 100. For example, if the device 100 is rotating about a y axis there may a certain probability that the device 100 will impact the surface at a particular orientation, versus if the device 100 is rotating about the x axis.

Once the protective mechanism 118 has been activated, the method 200 may optionally return to operation 210. In this embodiment, the device 200 may proceed repeatedly between operations 210, 212, 214, 216, 218 to dynamically vary the rotational axis of the device 100. This may better ensure that the device 100 may be orientated in a desired manner so as to help to minimize damage to the device 100 when it impacts the surface. However, in other embodiments, the method 200 may terminate after operation 218. For example, some of the protective mechanisms 112 described below may only be activated once prior to impact.

FIG. 4B is a flow chart illustrating a second embodiment of the method 200 illustrated in FIG. 4A. The method 250 may be substantially similar to the method 200 illustrated in FIG. 4A, however, in the method 250 of FIG. 4A, the impact surface may not be known. The method 250 may begin at operation 260 and the current orientation of the device 100 may be determined. Operation 260 may be substantially similar to operation 210, and the sensors 116 may determine the orientation of the device 100. The method 250 may be configured so that this operation 260 may be completed at select time intervals. For example, the device 100 may determine its current orientation every 1 second, ½ second, or the like. After operation 260, the method 250 may proceed to operation 262. In operation 262 the device 100 determines whether a fall is detected. Similar to operation 212, the sensors 116 may determine if there has been a change in the gravity vector or other fall indicator (e.g., if the velocity of the device 100 has suddenly and/or unexpectedly increased).

If a fall is detected, the method 250 may proceed to operation 264 and the distance to the impact surface may be estimated. The estimation may be a predetermined value or a dynamically generated estimation. In one example, the impact surface may be estimated at approximately 3 to 4 feet, which is a typical distance that a mobile device 100 may be dropped. For example, many users may carry their mobile devices 100 in their pockets or purses, and may drop the mobile device 100 while accessing the device 100 from his or her pocket or purse, which may be at a height of approximately 3 to 5 feet. The estimated distance to the impact surface may also be varied depending on the embodiment of the mobile electronic device 100. For example, a laptop may generally be dropped from different heights than a mobile phone and therefore the estimated distance to the impact surface may be different for the laptop than for the mobile phone. In embodiments of the mobile device 100 utilizing the method 250, a position sensor may not be needed, as the impact surface may not need to be detected, as the distance to the impact surface may be estimated, rather than determined.

Once the distance to the impact surface has been estimated, the method 250 may proceed to operation 266. In operation 266 the device 100 determines its current orientation. This operation 266 may be substantially similar to operation 210, and the orientation angle may include a rotational axis, angular momentum, and a position of the device 100 within a three dimensional space. This may be determined by sensor 116 or multiple sensors 116. For examples, the sensors 116 may include a three axis gyroscopic and accelerometer that may be able to determine the angular moment of the device and the rotational axis of the device.

After operation 266, the method 250 may proceed to operation 268 and the impact area of the device 100 may be estimated. Similar to operation 214 in method 200, the operation 268 may determine the estimated impact surface of the device 100. This may include the position of the device 100 as the device 100 may impact the surface at the end of the freefall. The position of the device 100 at impact may be estimated by the rotational axis, angular momentum and estimated impact surface distance.

Once the impact area of the device 100 is estimated, the method 250 proceeds to operation 270 and the device 100 determines whether its orientation needs to be changed. For example, the device 100 may determine whether the estimated impact area is a more vulnerable area (or zone) than others areas (or zones) of the device, such as whether the device 100 may hit the display screen 102. If the orientation of the device 100 needs to change the method 200 proceeds to operation 274 and the angular momentum of the device 100 may be changed. For example, the protective mechanism 112 may be activated so that the rotational axis of the device 100 may be varied so that the estimated impact area of the device 100 may be altered.

After the protective mechanism 112 has been activated, the method 250 may return to operation 266, and the orientation angle of the device 100 may be recalculated and operations 268 and 270 may be repeated. This allows for the device 100 to dynamically adjust the potential impact area and to readjust after the protective mechanism 112 has been activated. However, it should be noted that in some embodiments, the protective mechanism 112 may only be activated once and therefore there may only be a single chance to alter the angular momentum of the device 100. In these embodiments, after operation 274, the method 250 may not return to operations 266, 268, and 270.

If in operation 270, the device 100 determines that the orientation angle does not need to change (for example, the protective mechanism 112 has been activated once already in operation 274), then the method 250 may proceed to operation 272 and the device 100 determines whether an impact is detected. This operation 274 may be utilized as the distance to the impact surface may not be known, and may need to be dynamically adjusted mid-fall. If the impact is detected 272 the method 250 may end. However, if the impact is not detected, the method 250 may proceed to operation 276 and the device 100 may estimate a new distance to the surface. This new estimate may utilize an iterative process to more accurately determine the fall distance and the new estimate may be a portion of the original estimated different. For example, the new estimate may only be 1 foot or less whereas the original estimated distance may be approximately 4.5 to 5 feet. This is because the device 100 may assume that it has fallen a certain distance already, so that the new distance to the surface may be much smaller than the original estimate. The new estimated distance may be individually determined 100 based on common heights that the particular device 100 may be normally dropped.

After operation 276, the method 250 may return to operation 268 and the impact area of the device 100 may be determined. The method 250 may then proceed through the operations 270, 274, and 272. Thus, the device 100 may iteratively estimate the fall distance, which may allow the device 100 to update and vary the potential impact surface as the device 100 is in a freefall.

Protective Mechanism

In one embodiment the protective mechanism is configured to alter the rotational axis of the device 100 as it is in freefall by altering the center of mass. As the center of mass is varied the rotational axis may also varied, changing the angular momentum of the device 100. In another embodiment, the protective mechanism 112 may be activated in order to help prevent the device 100 from entering freefall. Additionally, the protective mechanism 112 may help reduce the rotation of the device 100 as it is falling. For example, the protective mechanism 112 may produce a force that may be opposite to the rotational force exerted on the device 100 during freefall. Reducing the rotational velocity of the device 100 may help to reduce the impact velocity of the device 100 as it hits the surface.

FIG. 5A is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the protective mechanism 312. In this embodiment, the protective mechanism 312 may include motor 314 that may drive a mass 318 via a drive shaft 316. The protective mechanism 312 may be operably connected to the device 100, for example, the protective mechanism 312 may be enclosed within the enclosure 104. The protective mechanism 312 may alter the center of mass of the device 100 by varying the position of the mass 318. The mass 318 may be eccentrically connected to the drive shaft 316, and therefore as the mass 318 is rotating it may create a vibration through the device 100 (e.g., as a vibrating alert). In other examples, the mass 318 may be centered on the drive shaft 316.

The protective mechanism 312 may be configured so that the mass 318 may rotate at substantially the same speed as it may rotate when functioning as an alert for the device 100. In other examples, the motor 314 may rotate the mass 318 at a higher rotation per minute during a freefall than an alert. In some implementations, the rotational speed may be so fast that it may not be able to be sustained long term, in that it may burn out the motor 314. However, in these implementations the motor 314 may be able to more quickly affect the rotational velocity of the device 100.

When activated, such as in operations 216, 274, the motor 314 activates the drive shaft 316, which may then rotate the mass 318. In some implementations, the mass 318 may have a rotational axis 317 centered approximately through a centerline of the drive shaft 316. The rotational axis 317 of the mass 318 refers generally to the axis that the mass 318 rotates around when rotated by the motor 314. The mass 318 may be rotated so that it may be positioned differently within the enclosure 104, or the mass 318 may continue to rotate in order to vary the center of mass of the device 100. As the mass 318 is repositioned or rotated, the center of mass for the device 100 is altered, which may vary the angular momentum of the device 100 when/if the device 100 is in a freefall.

FIG. 5B is a rear elevation view of the electronic device 100 illustrating a long axis 313 and a short axis 314. The long axis 313 may be positioned along a center of the device 100 and its length. The short axis 314 is positioned along a center of the device 100 across its width. The length and width of the device 100 correspond to the length and width of the device 100 as shown in FIG. 5B and indicated in the legend shown in FIG. 5B. The terms length and width are representative only. Accordingly, in the event that the device 100 orientation changes, the terms length and width may generally refer to the dimensions illustrated as length and width in FIG. 5B.

FIG. 5C is a side elevation view of the electronic device 100 in a freefall at a time prior to impact T_(i-n). As shown in FIG. 5C, the angular momentum of the electronic device 100 during freefall may be the value of the resultant vector V_(t) which is a combination of vectors V₁, V₂, and V₃. In other words, the angular momentum along each particular axis (X, Y, Z) of the device 100 during freefall may be combined to produce a total angular momentum for the device 100, represented by vector V_(t).

The projected impact angle A_(i) of the electronic device 100 at any given time may be the angle taken from the closest point of the device 100 to the impact surface, relative to a plane parallel to the impact surface 319. Or, when the device actually impacts the surface 319, the impact angle A_(i) may be taken with respect to the first impacted area of the device with respect to the impact surface 319. As the device 100 may be rotating, it may have a different impact angle A_(i) at different distances from the surface, as shown in FIGS. 5C and 5D. Accordingly, the impact angle A_(i) has a first value at T_(i-n), and as shown in FIG. 5D, a second value at T_(i). The impact angle A_(i) may be altered by the protective mechanism 312.

Referring again to FIG. 5B, in some embodiments, the protective mechanism 312 may be positioned so that the rotational axis 317 of the mass 318 may be positioned substantially perpendicular to the short axis 315 of the device 100 and substantially parallel to the long axis 313. In these embodiments, the protective mechanism 312 may be better able to affect the orientation angle or eventual impact angle A_(i) of the device 100. This is because the degree change that the protective mechanism 312 may be able to adjust the impact angle A_(i) may depend on a ratio of the protective mechanism's 312 moment of inertia to the moment of inertia of the device 100 about the long axis 313

For instance, the angular velocity of the device 100 may be related to the moment of inertia of the mass 318 over the moment of inertia of the device 100 multiplied by the angular velocity of the mass 318. This is expressed in Eq. (1) below.

$\begin{matrix} {\omega_{Device} = {\frac{I_{Mass}}{I_{Device}} \times \omega_{Mass}}} & {{Eq}.\mspace{14mu} (1)} \end{matrix}$

As shown in Eq. (1), the angular velocity of the device 100 may be affected by the angular velocity of the mass 318. However, it should be noted that the protective mechanism 312 may be only be able to affect the value of a single vector of V₁, V₂, and V₃. However as the total angular momentum of the device 100 may be a sum of each of the vectors V₁, V₂, and V₃, by rotating the mass 318, the protective mechanism 312 may alter the angular velocity (and thus may alter the orientation of the device 100) during freefall.

Similarly, as shown in FIG. 1B, in some instances, the protective mechanism 312 may be positioned in a first zone 327 of the device 100. The first zone 327 may be positioned at or adjacent to a center point or center line 313 of the device 100. By moving the protective mechanism 312 or at least the mass 318, the rotation moment of inertia of the device 100 about an axis may be significantly reduced. By reducing the rotation moment of inertia of the device 100, the propensity of the device 100 to maintain its dropped angular orientation may be reduced. In other words, the device 100 may be more susceptible to the angular changes introduced by the protective mechanism 312. Thus, the protective device 312 may more easily alter the fall orientation of the device 100.

Substantially any point of mass in the device 100 will contribute to the moment of inertia proportionally to the density of the mass and the square of its distance from a rotational axis of the device 100. This concept is expressed mathematically in Eq. (2), as shown below.

$\begin{matrix} {I = {\int_{V}{{\rho (r)}{(r)^{2}}{{V(r)}}}}} & {{Eq}.\mspace{14mu} (2)} \end{matrix}$

By placing the mass 318, the protective mechanism 312, or other dense components of the device 100 in the first zone 327, the rotational moment may be reduced. Thus, the fall orientation of the device 100 may be more easily affected by the protective mechanism 312. For example, the motor 314 may be able to rotate the mass 318 at a slower rate, the mass 318 may be smaller, and so on, for the device 100 orientation to still be altered during freefall. Therefore, in some examples, more dense components of the device 100 may be placed in the first zone 327, while the less dense components of the device 100 may be placed in the second zones 325 that are farther away from the center point of the device 100.

In other examples, in addition to utilizing the mass 318 of the protective mechanism 312, the moment of inertia of the device 100 may also be altered (thus making the device 100 more likely to be able to switch orientations) by adding additional mass to a rotation section of the motor 314, e.g., the drive shaft 316. In this manner, the drive shaft 316 and the mass 318 may be positioned close to the center of the device 100 in order to more greatly affect the moment of inertia of the device 100. In another example, a secondary mass may be added to the protective mechanism 312. The secondary mass (not shown) may be centered or eccentric with respect to the drive shaft 316. Additionally, the secondary mass may be connected via a clutching mechanism so that the it may be selectively rotated, e.g., may be only rotate during a freefall and not during an alert. Similarly, in other embodiments, the protective mechanism 312 may include additional motors (not shown) to drive an additional mass or more quickly drive the mass 318.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the protective mechanism 312. In this embodiment, the position of the mass 328 may varied within the enclosure 104 as the mass 328 may slide or otherwise travel along a track 320. The mass 328 may be substantially secured in a first position by a latch 322, and as the latch 322 is released the mass 328 may travel along the guide track 320. The mass 328 may then be repositioned at a position along a length of the guide track 320 (or at a terminal end of the guide track 320) and may be secured in place via the latch 322, or another mechanism. In one example, the track 320 may include electromagnets dispersed along its length and the mass 320 may include a magnetic material. Then, at the desired position of the track 320, the respective electromagnet may be activated. In other examples, the mass 328 may be configured to slide the entire length of the track 320 and then be secured in place.

In another example of the protective mechanism 312 of FIG. 6, a linear motor may be used to move and stop the mass 328 along the guide track 320. In this example, the mass 328 may be able to stop at substantially any position along the guide track 320 and the movement and speed of the mass 328 may be able to be better controlled.

In the above examples as the mass 328 is repositioned within the enclosure (along the track 320 or by rotation), the mass 328 may vary the center of mass of the device 100. This is because the center of mass is the mean location of all the mass of the device 100, and so as the location of the mass 328 varies, the mean location of all of the mass of the device 100 may vary. For example, the weight of the mass 328 may be selected so that it may form a high enough percentage of the mean mass of the device 100, so that as its position is varied it may change the center of mass for the device 100.

FIG. 7A is a rear perspective view of the device 100 illustrating the power source 114, which in this example, may be a battery. FIG. 7B illustrates the power source 114 ejected from the device 100. A third embodiment of the protective mechanism 412 may include ejecting the power source 114 from the device 100. For example, the protective mechanism 412 may include an ejecting member 416 that may eject or otherwise disconnect the power source 114 from the device 100. The ejecting member 416 may be, for example, a spring, air (e.g., from a canister or produced by an electrical or chemical reaction), a latch or other member that may exert either a positive force on the power source 114 or remove a restraint on the power source 114, allowing the power source 114 to eject from the device 100

In some examples the power source 114 may form a large percentage of the mass of the device 100 compared with other components. For example, batteries may often weigh more than other electrical components. Therefore, in these examples, as the protective mechanism 412 is activated and the ejecting member 416 ejects the power source 114, the center of mass for the device 100 may be altered. As the power source 114 is ejected, the enclosure 104 may include a depression 404 where the power source 114 had originally been received. Additionally, although not shown, in some embodiments, the device 100 may include a cover or other protective member that may encase a portion of the power source 114 within the enclosure 104. In these embodiments, the cover may also be ejected along with or prior to the power source 114 being ejected.

FIG. 8A is an isometric view of a fourth embodiment of the protective mechanism 512. FIG. 8B is a side elevation view of the protective mechanism 512 of FIG. 8A in an activated position. FIG. 8C is an enlarged front elevation view of the protective mechanism 512 in the activated position. The protective mechanism 512 may include lift members 514 or airfoils that may be extended out from an outer surface of the enclosure 104. The lift members 514 may be positioned along substantially any surface of the enclosure 104. For example, as shown in FIG. 8A, there may be lift members 514 positioned along a top of the front surface of the enclosure 104 and additionally or alternatively along vertically along a side of the front surface of the enclosure 104. For example, the lift members 514 may be positioned on the front, back, and/or sides of the enclosure 104.

There may be multiple lift members 514 or there may be a single lift member 514. The lift members 514 may be configured to be substantially flush with the enclosure 104 when in the non-activated or extend position. For example, the enclosure 104 may include depressions 504 for receiving the lift members 514. Then, when the lift members 514 are extended via extending members 516, they may be pushed out from the depressions 504 and may extend past the enclosure 104.

The lift members 514 may be substantially planar members that may be extended from the enclosure 104 at an angle or may be extended substantially straight outwards from the enclosure 104. The lift members 514 may be operably connected to the enclosure 104 along a first surface and a second surface, substantially parallel to the first surface may be free. In this example, the lift members 514 may rotate along the first surface to extend outwards from the enclosure. Referring to FIG. 8C, in one example, the lift members 514 may be secured along a top side and the bottom side of the lift members 514 may be unsecured. The lift members 514 may reduce the velocity of the device 100 when it is in freefall, as the lift members 514 may provide an upwards lift. For example, in the extended position, air may be trapped and push upwards against the bottom surface of the lift members 514, providing an upwards force (or force opposite of the freefall), thus reducing the velocity of the device 100.

The lift members 514 may be activated or extended by extending members 516. The extending members 516 may provide an upwards force on the bottom surface of the lift members 514 to substantially force each lift member 514 outwards. It should be noted that the lift members 514 may be activated individually or collectively. Additionally, the lift members 514 may be activated depending on the rotational axis of the device 100 during freefall. For example, there may be lift members 514 positioned on both a horizontal and vertical portion of the front surface of the enclosure 104. Depending on the angular momentum of the device 100 during freefall, either the vertically positioned lift members 514 or the horizontally positioned lift members 514 may be extended. However, if the device 100 is rotating during freefall along an angled rotation axis, then both sets of lift members 514 may be activated.

As discussed briefly above, the lift members 514 may be extended so that they may be slightly angled or may be substantially planar in the extended position. For example, as shown in FIG. 8C, the lift members 514 may be secured to the enclosure 104 at a top surface and then may extend outwards from the enclosure 104, so that they may be angled downwards from the top surface. The extending members 516 may function to extend the lift members 514 from their position within the depressions 504 and/or may support the lift members 514 in their extended position.

FIGS. 9 and 10 illustrate a fifth embodiment of the protective mechanism 612. In this embodiment, the protective mechanism 612 may act to grasp a plug that may be inserted into the device 100 when the device 100 enters freefall. For example, the protective mechanism 612 may form a portion of an audio port and if a headphone plug is inserted therein, the protective mechanism 612 may activate when the device 100 enters a freefall. Assuming that a user may be wearing the headphones, the device 100 may be prevented from continuing to freefall, may be paused mid-fall long enough to allow a user to attempt to catch the device 100, a user may grab the headphones to prevent the device 100 from impacting a surface.

Referring now to FIGS. 9 and 10, the protective mechanism 612 may include a body 614 with a port 616 or aperture defined therein. The port 616 may be configured to receive a plug for headphones, speakers, a power cord, power charger, or the like. Grip members 618 may be disposed intermittently along an inner surface of the port 616. The grip members 618 may be configured to selectively grip the plug received within the port 616. For example, as shown FIG. 11, when the grip members 618 are activated they may operably connect to a plug 610 received within the port 616. The grip members 618 may substantially prevent the plug 610 from being removed from the port 616. The grip members 618 may include rings that may tighten around the plug 620, or may include prongs that extend to contact the outer surface of the plug 620, or other similar members. In another example, the grip members 618 may be electromagnets or other magnetic material that may be selectively activated. In this example, the plug 620 may include a corresponding magnetic material. Then, as the grip members 618 are activated, the magnetic force may be used to grip the plug 620.

When the device 100 enters freefall and the protective mechanism 612 is activated, the grip members 618 may grip the plug 620. In one example, the grip members 618 may extend from the inner surface of the port 616 to contact the plug 620 and in another example, the grip members 618 may be received around the plug 620 and may tightening around the plug 620. In these examples, the grip members 618 may substantially prevent the plug 620 from being removed from the port 616, for example, from the weight of the device 100 as it is being pulled downward during the freefall. As the plug 620 may be operably connected to headphones, speakers, or to another device (which may be substantially stable), the plug 620 may prevent the device 100 from continuing to freefall. For example a user may be wearing headphones that may be operably connected to his or her ears and when the device 100 falls and the grip members 618 are activated, the headphones (by virtue of their association with a user's ears) may prevent the device 100 from continuing to fall .

FIG. 12A and FIG. 12B illustrate a sixth embodiment of the protective mechanism 712. The protective mechanism 712 may include a retracting member 714 configured to move or displace in order to retract a member, such as button 110. The protective mechanism 712 may include a retracting member 714 operably connected to an anchor surface 716. The retracting member 714 is configured to selectively displace or change dimensions. For example, the retracting member 714 may be a electro active polymer that may retract based on a particular signal. The retracting member 714 is operably connected to the anchor surface 716, which may be an inner surface of the enclosure 104, or may be another component within the device 100. The other end of the retracting member 714 may be operably connected to a bottom surface of the button 110 or other component.

As the protective mechanism 712 is activated, the retracting member 714 may retract pulling the button 110 into the cavity defined within the enclosure 104. As shown in FIG. 12B, as the button 110 is retracted, the button may be positioned within the cavity of the enclosure 104, so that as the device 100 impacts a surface (e.g., due to a fall), the button 110 may not be substantially damaged. It should be noted that the retracting member 714 may be operably connected to components other than the button 110. For example, the retracting member 714 may be operably connected to the display screen 102, so that the display screen 102 may be retracted from an outer surface of the enclosure 104 and may be substantially protected from impact when the device 100 impacts a surface.

FIG. 13A is a perspective view of a seventh embodiment of the protective mechanism 318. The protective mechanism 318 may be configured to provide thrust or a force to counter act the force of the freefall (that is, gravity). In one example, the protective mechanism 318 may include a canister 814 and an activating member 816. The canister 814 may be configured to store a gas 818 (shown in FIG. 13B) that may be released from the canister 814 when the activating member 816 is activated.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 13B, the activating member 816 may be selectively activated and may releases the gas 818 from the canister 814. The canister 814 may be aligned with the port 108 defined on the device 100 (or other apertures within the enclosure 104). The gas 818 may be stored under pressure so that as it is released from the canister 814 it may provide a force or thrust for the device 100. The force from the gas 818 may be configured, for example, by its exit point on the enclosure 104 and/or the stored pressure, to help to counter act the force of gravity as the device 100 is in a freefall.

Storing and Utilizing Fall and Impact Data

In some implementations, the device 102 may store information such as fall and impact characteristics for a particular freefall and impact. FIG. 13 is a flow chart illustrating an exemplary method for collecting fall and impact data for the electronic device 102. The method 800 may begin with operation 802 and an impact may be detected. Operation 802 may be substantially the same as operation 272 in method 250. The impact detection may be at the end of a freefall as the device 102 encounters a surface. Once an impact is detected and provided that the device 102 is still at least partially operational, the method 800 may proceed to operation 804.

Operation 804 determines whether the device 102 should store data relating to the freefall and/or impact. The data may include fall characteristics, such as but not limited to, fall height, fall velocity, device orientation at the beginning of the fall, and/or angular momentum of the device 102 during the fall (which may be before and after a protective measure is activated). The data may also include impact characteristics, such as but not limited to, device 102 orientation at impact, velocity at impact, components experiencing the most force impact, and/or components most damaged at impact. If the data may not be stored, the method 800 may end. However, if in operation 804 the data may be stored, the method may proceed to operation 806.

Operation 806 determines if the fall characteristics are known. For example, the sensor 116 may have captured certain characteristics relating to the fall of the device 102, such as the velocity or angular momentum. However, other fall characteristics such as fall height or orientation of the device prior to the fall may not be known as they may not be directly captured by the sensor 116. If the desired fall characteristics are unknown, the method 800 may proceed to operation 808 and if the desired fall characteristics are known the method 800 may proceed to operation 810.

Operation 808 determines the desired unknown fall characteristics. The processor 124 may use data collected by the sensor 116 to compute the unknown characteristics. In one example, the p processor 116 may be able to determine a fall height by using the freefall time along with the velocity to calculate the height that the device 102 fell. Similarly, the processor 124 may be able to determine the device 102 orientation at the beginning of the fall by using an impact orientation and the angular momentum of the device 102 during the fall (as captured by the sensor 116).

After operation 808 or after operation 806 (if the fall characteristics were known), the method 800 may proceed to operation 810. Operation 810 stores in the memory 120 the fall characteristics that were determined as well as those known. The actual fall characteristics that are stored may be varied depending on the desired information. Once the fall characteristics are stored, the method 800 may proceed to operation 812 and impact characteristics may be stored. It should be noted in that in some instances operation 810 and 812 may be completed simultaneously or in a single operation. As with the fall characteristics, the impact characteristics that are stored in the memory 120 may vary depending on the desired information and/or application of the data.

After operation 812, the method 800 may proceed to operation 812. Operation 812 determines if the data (fall characteristics and impact characteristics) may be transmitted. If the data is to the be transmitted, the method 800 may proceed to operation 814 and the device 102 may transmit the data to a second device. The second device may be a computing device that may be used to store data from multiple devices so that in developing and fine tuning devices, the data may be used to develop and/or modify electronic devices. For example, if a trend in fall data is found by comparing the falls and impacts of multiple devices, certain areas of the device 102 may be created to be stronger, or the protective mechanism 112 may be modified to be better suited to protect the device 102 as the common fall characteristics may be known.

If the data is not transmitted to a second device, the method 800 may terminate. However, at the end of the method 800, the device 102 may include the fall characteristics and the impact characteristics stored within the memory 120. This information may assist the device 102 in activating the protective mechanism 112. For example, in the method 250 and operations 264 and 268, the estimations for the impact surface distance and the impact area of the device 102 may be more accurate by including common or high percentage distances and areas, respectively. In this example, the device 102 may refine the estimates of the fall height and/or impact area based on other previous falls or by falls from other devices. This may allow the protective measure 112 to be more accurate in order to prevent the device 102 from landing in a particular orientation. This is because, certain unknown parameters for a particular fall may be estimated using data from pervious falls.

Conclusion

The foregoing description has broad application. For example, while examples disclosed herein may focus on changing an orientation of a device prior to impacting a surface, it should be appreciated that the concepts disclosed herein may equally apply to modifying the device orientation during other situations. Similarly, although the protective mechanism may be discussed with respect mobile electronic device, the devices and techniques disclosed herein are equally applicable to other types of devices. Accordingly, the discussion of any embodiment is meant only to be exemplary and is not intended to suggest that the scope of the disclosure, including the claims, is limited to these examples.

All directional references (e.g., proximal, distal, upper, lower, upward, downward, left, right, lateral, longitudinal, front, back, top, bottom, above, below, vertical, horizontal, radial, axial, clockwise, and counterclockwise) are only used for identification purposes to aid the reader's understanding of the present disclosure, and do not create limitations, particularly as to the position, orientation, or use of this disclosure. Connection references (e.g., attached, coupled, connected, and joined) are to be construed broadly and may include intermediate members between a collection of elements and relative movement between elements unless otherwise indicated. As such, connection references do not necessarily infer that two elements are directly connected and in fixed relation to each other. The exemplary drawings are for purposes of illustration only and the dimensions, positions, order and relative sizes reflected in the drawings attached hereto may vary 

What is claimed is:
 1. An electronic device comprising: a processor; a sensor in communication with the processor; a protective mechanism in communication with the processor and configured to selectively alter a center of mass of the electronic device; and an enclosure configured to at least partially enclose the processor and the sensor.
 2. The electronic of claim 1, wherein the protective mechanism is configured to selectively vary a position of a mass within the enclosure.
 3. The electronic device of claim 2, wherein the protective mechanism further comprises: a motor in communication with the processor; and a mass operably connected to the motor and configured to rotate with respect to the motor.
 4. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the protective mechanism further comprises: a track operably connected to the enclosure; and a mass operably connected to the track and configured to be positioned along a length of the track.
 5. The electronic device of claim 1, further comprising a removable component operably associated with the enclosure.
 6. The electronic device of claim 5, wherein the protective mechanism further comprises an ejecting member operably associated with the removable component and configured to selectively eject the removable component from the device.
 7. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the protective mechanism further comprises: a lift member operably connected to the enclosure; wherein when the lift member is in a first position the lift member is substantially flush with the outer surface of the enclosure and when in a second position the lift member is positioned at an angle with respect to the outer surface of the enclosure.
 8. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the protective mechanism further comprises a thrust mechanism configured to selectively exert a force on an exterior of the device.
 9. A method of protecting a vulnerable area of an electronic device during free comprising the steps of: detecting by a sensor a freefall of the device; determining by the sensor an orientation of the device; estimating by a processor an impact area of the device; and selectively changing the orientation of the device via a protective mechanism depending on the estimated impact area of the device.
 10. The method of claim 9, further comprising detecting by the sensor an impact surface prior to estimating the impact area of the device.
 11. The method of claim 9, wherein the protective mechanism alters the angular momentum of the device.
 12. The method of claim 11, further comprising re-estimating the impact area of the device and then selectively changing the orientation of the device via the protective mechanism.
 13. The method of claim 9, further comprising estimating a distance to an impact surface prior to estimating an impact area of the device.
 14. The method of claim 9, further comprising storing in memory at least one fall characteristic.
 15. The method of claim 14, further comprising storing in the memory at least one impact characteristic. 